Youthtown Supports Midnight Basketball In Christchurch

Youthtown are involved with a programme that's aimed at kids in Christchurch's Eastern Suburbs, which looks to boost self-esteem, and add a sense of belonging to those who need it most.

Players get two games of basketball each night and must attend a life skills workshop before taking the court.

"We start at 8pm with the kids getting a hot meal before the workshop," Canterbury Basketball Association (CBA) chief executive Paul Duggan said. Workshop speakers have included former boxer and motivational speaker Billy Graham and representatives from He Waka Tapu, talking about health and well-being, Sport Canterbury discussing leadership, and the police.

Duggan said representatives from Ara Polytechnic would also attend to talk about educational opportunities.

He said Youthtown provided to transport the basketballers and "a whole swag of volunteers to help with the programme". "You have to attend the workshop to play the basketball," Duggan said. He said it was a chance to emphasise both sporting and social aspects to the youth "on the east side which is the heart of our basketball" and teach them the value of being in a team.

"They love coming down for the basketball, but we also have a chance to achieve some social outcomes. "We're targeting kids who aren't engaged in sport."